BEIXDEEE GBAZIXG IXVESTIGATTOXS IX ALASKA 11 
Lichens are not necessary for reindeer feeding because of any 
natural or nutritive qualities ; but, because they present a readily ac- 
cessible winter forage, they are the chief factor that makes reindeer 
grazing possible in Alaska. "Without this ready source of food for 
winter use the reindeer could not be maintained on the coast range 
successfully, and, consequently, the industry would not exist. The 
lichen forage crop in Alaska should therefore be carefully guarded 
in order to continue the yield. 
EFFECT ON QUALITY OF MEAT 
Feeding reindeer on cultivated crops has an important effect on 
the meat. An animal fed on alfalfa hay and grain (rolled oats and 
cracked corn) was slaughtered when fat and the meat tested. As 
compared with range stock, the meat from this reindeer proved 
firmer, finer grained, and drier, and the fat generally occurred scat- 
tered through the meat rather than being localized. The texture and 
quality of reindeer meat apparently is affected by the kind of food 
eaten, and probably varies directly with the quality. 
ANALYSIS OF FEEDS 
Table 2 (p. 12) shows the analysis of lichens and other range 
plants and cultivated crops. Generally, in comparison with range 
and field crops, the lichens show a lower percentage of protein and 
a higher percentage of starch. 
Of the lichens listed in Table 2, those of forage value in Alaska, 
in the order of their importance, are Cladorbia-, Cetraria, and Stereo- 
caulori. The species of Parmelia are of little economic value because 
of their scattering occurrence and inferior size. T\Tien this is taken 
into consideration, the difference in protein content of the lichens, 
as compared with other feeds, is found to be even greater. 
NATURE OF GRAZING USE 
The nature of the reindeer industry in Alaska was described in 
detail in Department Bulletin 1089. As bearing directly on the 
problem of proper range management, however, it may be well to 
outline briefly the nature of the grazing use in Alaska in order to 
incorporate information which has resulted from later studies and 
observations. 
No cultivated forage crops are raised and no feeding is done in 
connection with reindeer grazing in Alaska. The animals are grazed 
yearlong on the open range, and from six to six and a half months 
of this they are on winter forage. Each herd is confined to an 
individual area, which is a piece of range usually fairly well defined 
within a natural topographic unit. Major features of topography, 
as large streams and main ridges, divide the various grazing areas. 
Each unit includes summer and winter ranges and fawning grounds, 
and each has its own buildings, corrals, and other improvements 
necessar}^ for the individual herd. (See map, fig. 1, page 2.) 
Unlike much of the reindeer grazing conducted by the Lapps in 
northern Sweden and Norway, where a nomadic existence is common, 
reindeer grazing in Alaska is more centralized and tends toward 
permanent ranches. This difference is largely due to the abundance 
